Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Massachusetts
Northwestern Rallies Back to Top Massachusetts, 7-6
2/28/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 28, 2009
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -
Tommy Finn, Paul Snieder and Tony Vercelli each homered as Northwestern scored twice in both the seventh and eighth innings to come back and defeat Massachusetts 7-6 Saturday at the RussMatt Central Florida Invite.
The Wildcats improve to 2-4 with the win, while the Minutemen fall to 1-1.
Freshman Michael Jahns pitched three stellar innings of relief to earn his first collegiate win, allowing just one hit while striking out one.
Trailing 6-3 entering the seventh inning, Northwestern got to work. Freshman Paul Snieder opened the frame by coming on as a pinch hitter and promptly socked his first collegiate home run to get the Wildcats to within two. Kenneth Avila followed with a double and came around to scored when Finn reached on an error.
After Jahns stranded a runner at the third in the bottom of the seventh, the 'Cats mounted their winning rally in the eighth. Chad Noble started things with a single and moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt. Following a walk by Jim Grieco, Snieder stepped to the plate laced a double that brought home the tying and lead runs.
The one run cushion was enough for Jahns who sat down UMass in order over their final two at-bats.
Zach Morton got the start on the mound for Northwestern and went five strong innings. He struck out five Minutemen and allowed four runs, but only one of the runs was earned.
Northwestern completes its weekend with a doubleheader against Northeastern beginning at 8:30 a.m. Central time Sunday.
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